• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 500.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS
  • Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Canon SX260 HS
SX260 HS vs SX280 HS
Successor:    
General
Model Number: SD1200 IS SX280 HS
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Ultra Compact Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $229.99 $329.99
Street Price:   $299.69
Date Available: 2009-03-15 2013-04-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 4.2 oz (120 g) 8.2 oz (233 g)
includes batteries
Size: 3.5 x 2.2 x 0.9 in.
(89 x 55 x 22 mm)
4.2 x 2.5 x 1.3 in.
(106 x 63 x 33 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CCD CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:    
Effective Megapixels: 10.0 12.1
Sensor Format: 1/2.3 inch 1/2.3 inch
Sensor size: 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm) 28.0735mm2 (6.17mm x 4.55mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 1.69 microns 1.54 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: n/a n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:    
Self-Cleaning: No No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score:    
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):    
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):    
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):    
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3648 x 2048 (7.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
480 x 480 (0.2 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2) JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 1.4 14.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (60/​30)
1280x720 (30)
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder:
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: n/a n/a
Lens: Canon Zoom Lens (6 elements in 5 groups, including 2 aspherical) Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 35 - 105mm 25 - 500mm
Focal Length (actual): 6.2 - 18.6mm 4.5 - 90mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 20.00x
Aperture Range: f/2.8 or f/8 (W) / f/4.9 or f/14 (T) f/3.5 (wide) / f/6.8 (tele) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range: 3 - 50 cm
1.2 - 19.7 in
5 - 50 cm
2.0 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection Contrast Detect with Face Detection; Face Detection, 1-point AF (fixed to center)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: No Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: Real-image optical zoom  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):    
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):    
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.5 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 461,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 10.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display:
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200* (*special scene mode only) Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom Auto, Day Light, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Underwater, Custom
Shutter Speed Range: 1/1500 - 15 sec 1/3200 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: No No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot, Face Detect AE Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot (center), Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: No Yes
Shutter Priority: No Yes
Full Manual Exposure: No Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Sunset, Fireworks, Aquarium, Underwater, ISO 3200, Indoor, Kids & Pets, Night Snapshot, Digital Macro, Long Shutter Sports, SCN (Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter, High-speed Burst HQ, Handheld Night Scene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks), Creative Filters (Fisheye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Monochrome, Soft Focus, Super Vivid, Poster Effect)
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10, Custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Auto Red-eye Correction, Flash On, Flash Off; FE lock, Slow Synchro Auto, Flash On, Slow Synchro, Flash Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: Auto ISO: 1-14 ft./30cm-4.2m (W), 1-7.9 ft./30cm-2.4m (T) Auto ISO: 50cm - 3.5m (W), (1.0 - 2.0m (T)
Max Flash Sync:    
Flash Exposure Compensation:    
External Flash Connection: n/a n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: No No
Uncompressed Format:    
Movie File Format: AVI (Motion JPEG) MP4 (Image: MPEG4-AVC / H.264; Audio: MPEG2 AAC-LC (Stereo))
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control:
Remote Control Type:    
Connections (extended): Multipurpose USB/AV connector Mini HDMI, Built-in Wi-Fi, Built-in GPS
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 2.04  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press?
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 1.4 14.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.50 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.60 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus):    
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.5 seconds  
Play -> Record Time:    
Flash cycle time, full power: 6.0 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 260 shots 210 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NB-6L Proprietary NB-6
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-Ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NB-6L Lithium-Ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-6 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Canon Software Suite CD-ROM Canon software suite
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Optical Image Stabilization, Face Detection, Motion Detection. Available in silver, grey, blue, pink, green and orange. Optical Image Stabilization, DIGIC 6, 1080p60 Full HD Movies, 14 fps HQ Burst Mode, Built-in GPS, Built-in Wi-Fi. Available in black or red.